Pools, Spas and Hot Tubs - How does this affect water pressure?
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Boater59
07-22-09, 08:31 AM
Okay I hope all this makes sense. Here's quick background...Indoor jetted bath tub with a 1hp,3450rpm, 1.5" fitting/connectors pump stops working. The original return line from the tub to the pump is a 1.5" PVC line. The outgoing or feed line to the tub jets is 1" flex line split off thru a 1" T fitting, also originally from a 1.5" connector/1" line off the pump.
The only new pumps they sell are now are with 2" fitting/connector pumps. So I buy one with same specs above and use PVC reducers etc. along with new connectors to the pump, to fit the existing tub lines (1.5" return/1" feed lines) to the new pump.
The problem I'm having is the resulting water pressure to the jets. From the T-fitting off the pump feed connector there's one line of 1" flex line to one set of jets on one side of the tub, and same down the other side. Well one side has moderate pressure, the other has some or practically little at all. I have even placed my hands over other jets to see if it increased pressure to the weaker side, but it has no affect?? The feed lines also have these PVC baffled sections of PVC, for lack of a better word, where they split off to each jet.
I have even taken a garden hose w/taped end to fit the jet nozzles and back flushed while disconnected form the pump to be sure none were clogged and it seemed to flush just fine.
Okay with that said....Would the fact I've gone from the original 1.5" feed/return line pump to a 2" feed/return line pump (same hp/rpm) have some affect on the water pressure to the 1" jet lines?
Right now I have reduced the feed line to 1" PVC out from the pump connector to the T-fitting split directly above it at the faucet end of the tub. The connectors for the feed/return lines are both meant for 2" lines (bigger intake/outake holes on the pump than the original).
With a single 1.5" return line from the tub providing water to be pumped back out immediately thru 1" line, would that not increase pressure (larger to smaller line?) or no it would decrease pressure?
What if I increase the immediate section of feed line from the pump connector (vertical) line to say 1.25 or 1.5" of short PVC to a 1.25 - 1.5" T-fitting THEN reduce it off the t-fitting to the tubs 1" jet feed lines off both ends? It is not practical to change the tubs current/original lines due how it's installed without tearing a whole lot bathroom up.
I'm just trying to figure out the Bounelli(sp?) effect of this new setup so I can get a decent jetting action from this tub. Or accept it will never be the same without changing the entire tub plumbing.
The only new pumps they sell are now are with 2" fitting/connector pumps. So I buy one with same specs above and use PVC reducers etc. along with new connectors to the pump, to fit the existing tub lines (1.5" return/1" feed lines) to the new pump.
The problem I'm having is the resulting water pressure to the jets. From the T-fitting off the pump feed connector there's one line of 1" flex line to one set of jets on one side of the tub, and same down the other side. Well one side has moderate pressure, the other has some or practically little at all. I have even placed my hands over other jets to see if it increased pressure to the weaker side, but it has no affect?? The feed lines also have these PVC baffled sections of PVC, for lack of a better word, where they split off to each jet.
I have even taken a garden hose w/taped end to fit the jet nozzles and back flushed while disconnected form the pump to be sure none were clogged and it seemed to flush just fine.
Okay with that said....Would the fact I've gone from the original 1.5" feed/return line pump to a 2" feed/return line pump (same hp/rpm) have some affect on the water pressure to the 1" jet lines?
Right now I have reduced the feed line to 1" PVC out from the pump connector to the T-fitting split directly above it at the faucet end of the tub. The connectors for the feed/return lines are both meant for 2" lines (bigger intake/outake holes on the pump than the original).
With a single 1.5" return line from the tub providing water to be pumped back out immediately thru 1" line, would that not increase pressure (larger to smaller line?) or no it would decrease pressure?
What if I increase the immediate section of feed line from the pump connector (vertical) line to say 1.25 or 1.5" of short PVC to a 1.25 - 1.5" T-fitting THEN reduce it off the t-fitting to the tubs 1" jet feed lines off both ends? It is not practical to change the tubs current/original lines due how it's installed without tearing a whole lot bathroom up.
I'm just trying to figure out the Bounelli(sp?) effect of this new setup so I can get a decent jetting action from this tub. Or accept it will never be the same without changing the entire tub plumbing.